Burglaries in Loughrea
Gardai are appealing for information following burglaries at two businesses in Loughrea last weekend.
A laboratory at Old Galway Road, Loughrea, was broken into and damaged between 6pm on Friday January 28 and 8am on Saturday January 29. Gardaí in Loughrea are asking anyone who may have any information in relation to this break-in to contact them on 091 557320.
At around 2.50am on Sunday a business premises on Station Road in the town was broken into and extensive damage was caused to the property. Anyone who may have seen any suspect person or vehicle in the area at this time, or who may have any information in relation to this break in, is asked to contact Loughrea Garda Station on 091 557320.
Burglary in Newcastle
A house at Ardilaun Road, Newcastle, was broken into on Sunday January 31 between 2am and 12 noon. During this burglary a black Toshiba laptop, a black Lenovo laptop, and some Paco Rabanne aftershave was taken.
Gardaí are asking anyone who may have information in relation to this burglary or who has been offered any of these items for sale to contact Galway Garda Station on 091 538000.
Premises damaged in Kinvara
Criminal damage was caused to the rear of a business property at Ballybrannigan, Kinvara, last week.
This incident occurred at some time between 9pm on Tuesday January 26 and 6am on Wednesday January 27. Gardaí in Gort are asking anyone who may have seen any suspicious person or vehicle in the Ballybrannigan area between those times, or who may have any information in relation to this incident, to contact them on 091 636400.
Theft of trailer in Glenamaddy
A mesh trailer was stolen from a yard at Shannaghbeg, Glenamaddy, at some time between 5pm on Monday January 25 and 9am on Tuesday January 26.
The stolen trailer measure 8ft by 4ft. Gardaí are asking anyone who may have seen a suspicious person or vehicle in the area on these days, or who may have been offered the trailer for sale or have seen the trailer being driven away from the area, to contact Tuam Garda Station on 091 844016.
Home heating oil stolen
A large amount of home heating oil was taken from a tank at the rear of a property at Binn Bhan, Knocknacarra, last week.
This theft occurred at some time between 8pm on Thursday January 28 and 5pm on Friday January 29. Anyone who may have seen any suspicious people or vehicle in the Binn Bhan area on Thursday or Friday is asked to contact Salthill Garda Station on 091 514720.
Bicycle stolen in Salthill
A racing bike was stolen from a property at Emerson Avenue, Salthill, between 7pm on Friday January 29 and 6pm on Saturday January 30.
This bicycle was very distinctive. It is a navy “Plug” racing bike with a tan coloured leather seat and handlebars. Anyone who has any information or is offered this racing bike for sale is asked to contact Salthill Garda Station on 091 514720.
Gardai in appeal to find owners of stolen dogs
Gardai are appealing for help in reuniting 17 dogs and pups, believed to have been stolen, with their owners.
The dogs were found during a search in Athenry on Monday morning, February 1. Gardaí in Athenry are asking anyone who is missing a dog or may have had a dog stolen recently to contact Athenry Garda Station on 091 844016 or Galway Garda Station on 091 538000.
Blue Flag for Ballyloughane must become a council priority, says Cheevers
Concerns have been raised over long term plans for water quality at Ballyloughane following the Environmental Protection Agency report on the water quality of Galway’s city rivers and water networks.
The report was discussed at last Monday’s Galway City Council meeting, after which Fianna Fáil Galway City East councillor, Alan Cheevers, accused City Hall of only carrying out “purely cosmetic and peripheral” works at Ballyloughane.
“I’m not really interested in reading a report of the works that have been done in Ballyloughane since 2014, 2004, 1994 or previous to that either,” he said. “Such reports are allowing the impression to exist that the council is tackling the big issue in Ballyloughane - a Blue Flag highlighting it is safe to swim. I want a report on what it will take to bring this to fruition.”
At that meeting, a 250 page report by An Taisce, which alleged significant under-reporting of discharges of untreated wastewater, was discussed, and the issue of Ballyloughane beach was raised. The report was criticised by Brendan McGrath, chief executive of the Galway City Council, while City Hall’s senior planner, Carmel Kilcoyne., said the report contained “a number of inaccuracies”.
However, Cllr Cheevers said council officials should either “tackle the issues” in the An Taisce report or “continue to tolerate sub-standard bathing water in Ballyloughane”.
He has called on City Hall to connect the storm water pipework north and south of the main foul water pipe on the Dublin Road, for onward treatment at the Mutton Island Wastewater Treatment Plant; and either increase the capacity of Mutton Island or build a new wastewater treatment plant on the east side of the city.
More than 2,000 Galwegians waiting for driver theory test
A total of 2,091 Galwegians are awaiting an appointment for a driver theory test, leading to a former mayor of the city to call for the introduction of fast-track remote testing.
Labour Galway City West councillor, Niall McNelis, said it is “vital” that remote theory testing be fast tracked to ease the “backlog and pressure” on those awaiting theory tests.
Cllr McNelis said the Galway figures highlight the need for action. “The longer we go without clearing this backlog, the harder it will be long term,” he said. “The majority of these people are young and given public transport capacity limits, cannot be left to twist in the wind.”
According to Declan Naughton, director of driver testing and licensing at the Road Safety Authority, there are 54,313 candidates across the State, currently booked with a confirmed appointment for a theory test between 6 March 2021 and 31 November 2021.
“The driver theory test does not operate a waiting list in the conventional sense,” he said. “it offers appointment slots which are then taken up by eligible customers. The RSA will be working with the service to increase capacity in the coming months to make additional appointment slots available for those whose tests were cancelled during Covid19 Level 5 restrictions.”
Driver theory tests can be booked via www.theorytest.ie
